In Germany, you can decide yourself
- if and when you want to engage in sexual activity.
- with whom and how you want to be sexually intimate.
- how often you want to experience sexual activity.
- whether you want to marry or not.
- who you want to marry.
- whether you want to have children or not.
Nobody is allowed to force you or others to engage in sexual activity. This applies to all people. No relative, partner or friend is allowed to force you into sexual activity. And neither are you allowed to force others to engage in sexual activity. Sexual activity must always be based on self-determination. Every person decides what happens to their at all times.
Is anybody forcing you to engage in sexual activity? This is called sexualised violence or sexual abuse. In Germany, this is against the law and can be punished. Are you experiencing sexualised violence or sexual abuse? Talk to a person you trust. Or contact a counselling organisation. Your local ‘Aidshilfe’ support centre can provide you with the right contacts.
In Germany, children and adolescents enjoy special protection.
Children are people under the age of 14 years. Adolescents are people aged between 14 and 17 years.
Everyone over the age of 17 is considered an adult.